I Don't Kill Children

To Scott

By Claire L. Ontiveros

"Telso smells rotten."

Jayne looked up at Kaylee's words and then sniffed loudly. "I don't smell nothin'. Maybe I'm gettin' a cold."

Kaylee shook her head. "I don't really mean it smells. It's just in the air. It's not a nice place." Indeed, though the town was bustling with life, an unfriendly attitude seemed to envelope the people. Though the squat buildings seemed sturdy enough, they matched the inhabitants in appearing to lack care.

"You may not be wishin' Telso was your home, but a job's a job. Kaylee, Wash, get the parts and be back here in an hour." Serenity's captain shot them a pointed look. "Stay sharp. Telso's not known for its courtesy, as Kaylee has correctly smelled."

With that, Zoë accelerated the mule and she, Mal and Jayne rolled forward, leaving Kaylee and Wash to walk into the town. Telso was set in one of the few flat areas on the planet and the dusty road that Mal, Zoë and Jayne followed led them into more mountainous terrain. The hills made Mal a little uneasy. He preferred the higher ground to be his in almost every instance and traveling through a valley of sorts seemed to make them especially vulnerable to anyone wishing to hinder them. Mal was comforted when Zoë suddenly steered off the beaten path and up a hill. She skillfully maneuvered the vehicle through the trees staying parallel to the path below.

"Thought this would be a nicer view, captain." she called out. Mal smiled in satisfaction. There was a very good reason why Zoë was his first mate. He wondered again, as he occasionally did, what he'd done to deserve her unfailing loyalty. However, as he still couldn't come up with a satisfying answer, he chose to let it be, remaining comfortable in the fact that it was. Mal chose instead to pay attention more closely to the surroundings and he felt himself tense at a flash of movement. He let out a breath when he realized it was only a fox of sorts.

"Scare ya?" Jayne called out with a grin.

"Only cause I didn't think there could be anything uglier than you runnin' around." Mal smirked. "And I make it a point to keep my eyes open while on job."

"Don't think its your proper day to die, huh?"

Mal's eye turned to slits as he looked back at Jayne. "Nope. And I got no intention of buttin' in line." The terrain became smoother, allowing Zoë to speed up, and making conversation impossible, so they became silent.

"Think this is the place, sir." Zoë said, making a sudden hard stop that jolted Mal and Jayne forward in their seats. She looked back and without apology, said, "The brake was stuck."

"Best have Kaylee look at that tonight." Mal swung out of the vehicle. "You thinking behind those rocks, Zoë?"

"Yes."

"Good." Jayne lifted one of the crates. "Won't have to break our backs diggin' then." Moving quickly, the two men hauled the crates from the back of the mule over to a stack of boulders, while Zoë carefully studied a map. Mal shaded his eyes and gazed at the hills surrounding them.. "Hope Benton's on time." he said to her. "I'd just as soon be off this gorram planet as quickly as possible."

"Won't argue with you there, sir."

Once the crates were well out of sight, they continued on about two and a half miles. They were able to see the rundown shack long before Mal signaled Zoë to brake, still several yards away from it. The three of them immediately stepped down, keeping the mule between them and the shack. Without wasting a moment, Mal pulled his pistol and carefully aimed at a glass bottle sitting on the edge of the rickety porch. At the sound of the shot, as well as the shattering glass, two old men peeked out the door. "That you Reynolds?!" one of them bellowed.

"Indeed. Would you like to join us?"

Looking as though it was more physical assertion than they'd had in a long while, the men puffed their way out to the mule.

"Well, Reynolds you're right on time."

Mal gave them a small smile. "We aim to please. When convenient." He motioned to Jayne, who pulled one lone crate from the back of the mule. "Inside that crate is a map that'll take you to the rest."

One of the men ambled over to the crate and pried the lid up. He then stood, smiled and spit, his stream of tobacco juice landing far too close to Zoë's boot. "That'll be fine then. Earl! Give em' their dues."

Mal tensed at the words and awaited the sight of a gun being drawn, but was pleased to be tossed a small sack instead. A quick inspection revealed the correct amount and he gave a quick nod to his crew. "Benton, Earl…it's been a pleasure doing business with you."

"And with you Reynolds. A man that gets the job done without asking too many questions is a rare find these days. So long." They waited for the two men to haul the crate back to their shack, amused at the sight of them both huffing and puffing just to carry the one crate. When they had unloaded the crates to hide them, neither Jayne or Mal had carried less than three at a time…alone. Mal flashed them a quirky grin and then climbed back into the mule, driver's seat this time.

He turned to Jayne and said, "Face backwards and make sure they ain't turnin' around for any final fare ye wells.".

As the scenery began to flash by going in the opposite direction this time, Zoë called out to Mal. "Are you all right, sir? You look disturbed."

"Well, I am! I'm still waitin' for an ambush. That went just a little too smoothly. Our jobs never go that smoothly."

"Well, it's nice to turn over a new leaf, sir, because there's nobody in sight."

"Maybe you should drive…I'm kind of in shock."

"Just enjoy it, sir."

Once back in the heart of Telso, Mal, Zoë and Jayne parked and then stood outside the hardware store, the designated rendezvous point. Leaning against the rickety pillars, they tried to blend in, as well as keep their footing amidst the crowd. It seemed to be market day in Telso. "Everybody and his brother are out." Jayne complained, planting his feet more firmly.

"There's Kaylee." Mal said suddenly, as his ship's mechanic came into view. Kaylee had no talent at hiding her emotions and worry was plainly written in her big brown eyes. Her long, brown hair was even more disheveled than usual.

"What's wrong, Kaylee?"

"Wash's wallet got stolen. Before we could buy the parts. He's talking to the sheriff right now."

Jayne swore. "That little man can't keep track of nothing! How's he know he didn't just lose it?"

Kaylee frowned at him. "Wash isn't careless like that. There were a bunch of other people reporting stuff stolen. And all of it carried in their pockets."

"Telso does turn out a right fine line of pickpocketers." Mal said, frowning. "Let's find him."

"Stupid, can't be left to buy parts on his own." Jayne muttered.

"Shame you can't be trusted to be left alone at all." Zoë interjected coldly. "Didn't you know? That's why you're never left on the ship."

Jayne spluttered, "Well, I-"

"That's enough." Mal snapped. "Hold your tongue or lose it, Jayne. Where's your wallet?"

"Right he-" Jayne cut off suddenly and began frantically going through his own pockets. "What the…my money's gone! Oh, some gorram little sneak is gonna pay!"

They followed Kaylee into a dark smoky building and found Wash standing wearily by a counter. "Sorry Mal. I don't know how it happened. In this crowd it's impossible to know if someone's just bumpin up against ya or robbin' ya." Irritated, he moved away from a blubbering couple next to him, as though trying to regain his personal bubble of space.

"Yeah, well, things happen. You ain't to blame. That whole line of people get robbed too?"

"Yeah. Seems they've been havin' quite a string of thievery."

At that moment a shout could be heard from the street. Several people pushed through the door and one man yelled, "We got the thief!" An excited murmur ran through the building and people strained for a look. Mal felt his jaw drop at the sight.

Kaylee gasped. "I don't believe it!"

Struggling in the arms of one of the local lawmen was a child of no more than 8. Rumpled and dirty, she was fighting to get away. One of the men behind held up a sack. "We found all these wallets and purses stuffed in the front of her shirt!" The murmurs of the people grew to an unbearable din and finally the sheriff jumped on top of a chair and shouted, "If you've been robbed get in line prepared to describe it. Everyone else, I'm going to have to ask you to get out!" In the confusion that followed the Serenity crew found themselves near the front of the line.

Thirsty, Kaylee left the line to get a drink of water. She was still in shock that the thief who had caused so much trouble was a little girl. It seemed so sad, so wrong. Something must have been terribly wrong for the child to have been stealing. Curious, Kaylee filled up a second glass of water and walked slowly over to where she could see the child tied tightly to a chair in the back. As she came closer she saw the girl was crying, the tears leaving pale streaks down her dirty face. "I've just brought her a little water," she said to one of the men standing there and without waiting for an answer pushed past him and knelt down. "Are you thirsty, honey?"

The child looked up, startled out of her tears and then nodded. Kaylee held the cup to her lips as her hands were tied tightly at her sides, bound to the chair. Kaylee felt her heart constrict at the sight. "My name's Kaylee." she said softly. "What's yours?" She knew she shouldn't even be asking, as the child was a thief and would probably be severely punished, perhaps put in jail in this backwards little town. But Kaylee's heart wouldn't let her just walk away and so she waited.

The child eyed her suspiciously for a moment and then said hesitantly, "Devyn. Devyn nothin'. I don't got a last name."

"That's all right. Are…are you hurt?"

"I don't know. I don't care. Can I have more water?" Immediately Kaylee held the cup to the child's lips again, then she stood and turned to the men standing there.

"What's going to happen to her?" Kaylee tried to speak softly, hoping the girl wouldn't overhear. Judging by the volume of their voices, the men did not share her concern.

"Well, she was caught with the goods on her, so there ain't no question of a trial. She'll be sent down to the mines I think. That's where we put most of our prisoners. Better than a jail as it surely keeps em in once place."

"But she's so little."

The man gave a harsh laugh. "Big enough to steal ain't she? Even from you…I saw your man over there."

"Mining's just so hard…I suppose she could pick up the rocks and things…"

"Why don't you just get back in line, right and proper, young lady!" Another man standing nearby spoke up suddenly. "There ain't no need for you to go meddling around in what ain't your business."

Offended, Kaylee sniffed and started to move away, then felt her heart drop into her stomach when she heard him say to the group, "Kid'll be good for more than work in those mines. Men get lonely…let em see how far they've sunk in the mud."

She ran back to the crew.

"We got it all back." Wash said, holding up his wallet for her to see.

Kaylee turned immediately to Mal. "Captain, that little girl over there, they're going to hurt her!"

"She's a thief." Male said, firmly. "They can't let thieves run their town can they?"

"No, you don't understand! They're going to send her down into their mines!"

Jayne spoke up. "Seems like a good system to me. They get good labor out of the criminals, stead a lettin' em rot in a cell."

Kaylee felt herself near tears. "No, just listen. I heard them say that she would be used for more than work. That the prisoners in the mine would…Oh, I can't even say it!"

"Dear God." Understanding, Zoë gazed over at the child.

Recognizing an ally, Kaylee clutched at Zoë's arm. "We could take her…buy them off. We can't leave her here to such a thing. It would just be wrong!"

"Now, wait just a gorram minute!" Mal snapped. "Are you suggesting we take a little pickpocket aboard Serenity?"

"It's not such a crazy idea, Mal." Wash spoke up. "Our next stop's Persephone. There's orphanages aplenty there. We could just drop her at one, without much inconvenience."

"Oh, yes. Please, captain, I just can't leave her here. It'll break my heart. We have to take her with us!"

"Well, I ain't exactly convinced of that, but what they're going to do don't sit real well with me either." Mal frowned and gazed at the ceiling.

"Ain't you all forgettin' that she's a thief and has caused lots of trouble here today?" Jayne grunted. "I think you're all a bunch of gorram loonies, but the sheriff ain't gonna let you just walk in and take her! Not without some payment."

"We can use my share of the job today." Kaylee volunteered immediately.

"I'll donate some as well." Zoë said. "Captain?"

Mal closed his eyes. "All right, all right. Personally, I think for once Jayne is right and this is crazy, but all right. Kaylee, the kid's your responsibility and we will drop her at the first orphanage we come to on Persephone, is that clear?"

"Clear as day, captain!" Kaylee gave him a quick hug.

"I think you'd better be the one to negotiate this, sir." Zoë said quietly. "I doubt they'll be real agreeable about this." They waited for him to move, but he remained in place, eyes still shut. "Um, sir are you all right?

"I'm just reminiscing. I've got a lovely memory that took place not an hour ago, where I was marveling at the sweet simplicity of this job. And now it has turned into the something that's most definitely not simple. Kaylee come with me."

Mal strode over to the sheriff. "Sheriff could I have a word with you? It's about your thief."

"Make it quick."

"Will do. Look, way I see it, this kid has caused a lot of trouble here and you'd probably just as soon be rid of her."

"That is the truth."

"Well, my ship's next stop is Persephone and they've got some good orphanages there. Why don't you let me take the little varmint with me and I'll drop her off at one?" Another thought suddenly occurred to Mal and he asked hopefully, "Unless she has family around here to be returned to."

"She don't. We was just going to toss her in the mines. Those mines can make a powerful improvement on a person's attitude. Kid don't deserve no orphanage."

"You believe in ghosts?" Mal asked bluntly.

"What?" The sheriff was taken aback. "Of course not. Why do you ask?"

"You and I both know a child that size ain't gonna survive the mines. I wouldn't even give her a year. I'm just wonderin' how you're gonna like havin' her blood on your hands…when her spirit's no longer bound to that little body, she may take a mind to come after somebody."

The sheriff looked decidedly uncomfortable. "Look, you want her, you take her. I don't give a flip what you do with her. I ain't payin' her passage on your ship though, if that's what you're after."

"That's fine. We'll take her off your hands now. Kaylee, get her and meet us out front. I've got to make sure we got all the parts."

"I love my captain." she murmured. Trying not to look too triumphant, she shot a pointed glance at the sheriff. "I'll untie her." Almost afraid that he would change his mind, she moved quickly over the girl. "It's okay, it's okay." she quickly soothed as Devyn jerked in fear. "You're coming with us. It's going to be okay." Devyn stared incredulously, fear evident on her face. However, she must have decided quickly that going with this stranger couldn't possibly be worse than staying with the men intent on throwing her into the mines, because she slid off the tall chair and clasped Kaylee's outstretched hand. Casting one last unbelieving look behind her, she allowed herself to be pulled away.

Kaylee wasted no time in striding away from the men, as they certainly looked none too pleased at the turn of events which included their little thief being led away by a woman who obviously held no ill plans for her. Kaylee looked down and marveled again that one so small could be capable of such crime. She supposed that when clean, there was a head of reddish-brown hair, not so different from her own, hanging over a pair of unhappy green eyes. Devyn reminded her of her rabbit she'd found many years ago, caught in a trap. "Maybe you're my little rabbit now, huh." she said softly.

"What?" The child's lip quivered.

"Nothin'." Kaylee smiled. Zoë was waiting for them in front of the hardware store.

"They went to get the parts." she stated quietly in explanation.

"Right. This is Devyn. Honey, this is Zoë. She's the first mate on our ship. Our ship's called Serenity."

Zoë carefully held out a hand to which Devyn gave a quick squeeze before pulling away. Zoë kept her thoughts to herself and the three of them stood in silence, until Mal, Wash and Jayne reappeared, each holding some piece of machinery.

"Hope you got the narrow one." she said, taking a quick glance in Mal's sack.

He shot her a look and then said, "Let's get back to the ship. We're long overdue." His face said it all and so it was without words that they all climbed aboard the mule and sped back to Serenity. The motor made talking difficult and so they didn't even try. Serenity waited for them and the hatch was lowered with a rather offended air, as though she knew they were late. The other passengers, Shepherd Book, Inara, Simon and River were waiting inside and there were sounds of surprise and questions as Devyn stepped aboard the ship, still clinging tightly to Kaylee's hand. Devyn appeared completely overwhelmed as her green eyes darted from crewmember to crewmember, to the space inside the ship.

Mal firmly dismissed the questions. "Let's get this ship in the air please." His tone made it clear that it was not a request. Those who had jobs immediately set about doing them and Kaylee took the time to introduce her little charge to the rest of the passengers. "This is Devyn. She'll be traveling with us for a little while…and will be helping me in the engine room." Then moving around the room, Kaylee introduced Devyn to each person still in the cargo bay. "This is Shepherd Book, who's traveling with us."

"I'm happy to meet you, child." He gently shook her hand, curiosity evident on his face.

"This is Simon, who's our ship's doctor and his sweet little sister, River." Simon raised his eyebrows at the sight of the child, but smiled and softly said hello.

River gazed at Devyn with unmasked curiosity and said candidly, "She was alone. She was hungry." Before River could say more, Kaylee hurriedly continued.

"This is Inara. She lives in one of the shuttles." Devyn looked up at Inara in awe, who smiled warmly back.

"It's good to meet you, sweetie."

"You saw Wash, Zoë, and Jayne and of course…" Kaylee paused as Mal reentered the room. "Our captain."

Mal dropped to one knee. "Come here, Devyn." Hesitantly the child moved to stand before him. He put his hand on her shoulder. "As captain, I make the rules and everyone else obeys them. You behave yourself on this ship, things'll be good. Step out of line…and there'll be some major beat down going on.." A dry smirk hovered across his face. "Are we clear?"

Devyn gave a quick nod.

"Here Devyn, come with me." Kaylee said quickly, reaching out for Devyn's hand and giving Mal a reproachful look. "How about a bath and maybe we can find something else for you to wear?"

"The engine room ain't gonna clean itself, Kaylee." Mal warned. "Just a friendly reminder."

"It'll get taken care of, don't you worry. Besides I've got good help now." Kaylee smiled down at Devyn, who met her eyes and slowly smiled back.

Amusement evident on her face, Inara watched Kaylee from the open door of the laboratory. She turned as Mal approached and peered in to get a look for himself.

"If you've found something funny about this situation, I'd take it as a kindness if you'd share it with me." Mal commented dryly.

"You don't find it amusing that a girl who is never without engine grease on her face, is now scrubbing a child as though her life depends on it?"

"I suppose." Mal shifted and exhaled in discontentment. "This whole situation just don't sit real comfortable with me."

"Well, from what Kaylee said, neither did leaving the child to the mercy of those men. I don't think you had a choice."

"I guess not." Mal mumbled. "I realize she's just a kid, but I also really ain't in the habit of takin' pickpockets aboard."

Inara cocked her head and tucked a wayward black curl behind her ear. "I'm surprised at you, Mal. I would have thought you'd empathize greatly with her." A hint of sarcasm could be detected in her tone. "Times are hard, we take what jobs we get. Seems I recall hearing those exact words yesterday when we were discussing you taking a job on this planet, as a string of very similar planets…where respectable cliental doesn't exist. Thievery…as evidenced both by that child's occupation and your reason for landing there, obviously do."

Mal gave her a smile that did not meet his eyes. "I prefer to think of my activities…illegal though some of them may be…as respectable." He shrugged and his shoulders slumped a little. "Take it as you will." He looked up and smirked at her before saying, "We can't be all that bad…after all you're still choosing to fly with us." More carefree, he turned and strode away.

Inara stood with her lips tightened and she muttered an ill Chinese phrase after him. "Not for long."